Greater New Orleans

Tulane Green Wave cornerback Lorenzo Doss (6) intercepts a pass in the end zone in the third quarter during the game between Tulsa and Tulane at the Superdome on Saturday, October 26, 2013. (Michael DeMocker, Nola.com / The Times-Picayune)
(Michael DeMocker)

Tulane cornerback Lorenzo Doss made his third preseason watchlist on Friday, garnering a place on the Jim Thorpe Award for the nation's best defensive backs. Doss, a rising junior, is one of 39 to make the preseason cut for the award.

On Thursday, he made the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watchlist for the nation's best defensive player. Earlier in the week, he gained notice for making the Chuck Bednarik Award watchlist -- another defensive specialist award.

Doss was among the nation's leaders last season in interceptions, with seven on the season. In his career, he has played in all 25 games with 22 starts for his career, posting 78 tackles (58 solo, 20 assists) with 12 interceptions, 11 pass break-ups, two fumble recoveries and 1.5 tackles for loss. He shares the Tulane career record in interceptions returned for touchdowns with a pair while ranking second with 264 interception return yards and tied for sixth with 12 picks.

In the Tulane single-season record book, Doss sits sixth and tied for eighth in interceptions with seven in 2013 and five in 2012, respectively, while ranking seventh with a 26.4 yards-per-interception-return average last season.

The Jim Thorpe Award might be the most prestigious of the trio Doss is up for. The award was established in 1986 and is named after history's greatest all-around athlete, Jim Thorpe. Thorpe excelled as a running back, passer and kicker on the offensive side of the ball, but also stood out as a defensive back. In addition to his legendary performance on the football field, Thorpe played professional baseball and won Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon.

The watch list is chosen by a screening committee who compile a list of 30-50 players. The list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons are added as the season progresses. The Thorpe Award Winner is selected from three finalists and will be announced at The Home Depot College Football Awards on Thursday, December 11, 2014 on ESPN.

The Jim Thorpe Award Banquet will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in Oklahoma City, OK.